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It all started in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone expected his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

36 months and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously racking up their 29th consecutive official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward scored the opening two goals and might have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain appearances but when fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have observed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However officially at least, this current team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, combined score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the lead. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to do laps round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Still it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.